The Musical Life

Everyone, according to W.A. Mathieu, is musical by nature—it goes right along with being human. And if you don't believe it, this book will convince you. In a series of interrelated short essays, Mathieu takes the reader on a journey through ordinary experiences to open our ears to the rich variety of music that surrounds us but that we are trained to ignore; such as the variety of pitches produced by different objects, like glassware, furniture, drums—anything you can tap; or sounds that hover on the border of music, like laughter, the clinking of glasses in a toast, or the unintentional falsetto produced by yawning. Along the way the author teaches aspects of music theory that nonmusicians might ordinarily shy away from. He reveals the way of music to be a profoundly spiritual path—one that is everyone's birthright.

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About the Author:

William Allaudin Mathieu is a composer pianist whose long and varied career ranges from his early work with the Stan Kenton band and The Second City Theater, to his extensive catalogue of song cycles, works for choir, and instrumental concert music. He has recorded extensively, and is the author of The Listening Book, The Musical Life, and Harmonic Experience: Tonal Harmony from Its Natural Origin to Its Modern Expression.

From Booklist:

Judging from his book, practicing Sufi Mathieu is a philosopher in the Thoreauvian cast. Also known by the name Allaudin, he has had a diverse career as composer, performer, and mystic, all of which is apparent in his treatment of music as a spiritual force with a technical side to it. Aiming to affirm his belief in the centrality of music to human nature, he addresses the nature of musical experience in a string of short, aphoristic essays on subjects ranging from aspects of music theory to observations on the types of falsetto produced by yawning. He writes beautifully, and the book has a calming, uplifting effect not unlike that of the better New Age music, and indeed, Mathieu has recorded several albums for the New Age label Windham Hill. Those seeking a verbal analogue to that kind of music will enjoy this book. John Shreffler

Book Description Shambhala Publications Inc, 1994. PAP. Book Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from US within 10 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Bookseller Inventory # IQ-9780877736707

Book Description Shambhala Publications Inc, United States, 1994. Paperback. Book Condition: New. New.. Language: English . Brand New Book ***** Print on Demand *****. Being musical does not necessarily mean being a musician; it doesn t mean playing the piano at parties or composing songs for lovers. It is a way of being awake, an angle of perception, a tilt of the ear. The musical ear knows it is innately in tune with the universe. A person can talk or move musically, or simply be harmonious, without being a fine violinist. You do not need a musician s craft to know that both you and music are made from the same design. - From the preface. Bookseller Inventory # AAV9780877736707

Book Description Shambhala Publications Inc, United States, 1994. Paperback. Book Condition: New. New.. Language: English . Brand New Book ***** Print on Demand *****.Being musical does not necessarily mean being a musician; it doesn t mean playing the piano at parties or composing songs for lovers. It is a way of being awake, an angle of perception, a tilt of the ear. The musical ear knows it is innately in tune with the universe. A person can talk or move musically, or simply be harmonious, without being a fine violinist. You do not need a musician s craft to know that both you and music are made from the same design. - From the preface. Bookseller Inventory # AAV9780877736707

Book Description Shambhala Publications. Paperback. Book Condition: New. 248 pages. Dimensions: 8.4in. x 5.5in. x 0.8in.Everyone, according to W. A. Mathieu, is musical by nature-it goes right along with being human. And if you dont believe it, this book will convince you. In a series of interrelated short essays, Mathieu takes the reader on a journey through ordinary experiences to open our ears to the rich variety of music that surrounds us but that we are trained to ignore; such as the variety of pitches produced by different objects, like glassware, furniture, drums-anything you can tap; or sounds that hover on the border of music, like laughter, the clinking of glasses in a toast, or the unintentional falsetto produced by yawning. Along the way the author teaches aspects of music theory that nonmusicians might ordinarily shy away from. He reveals the way of music to be a profoundly spiritual path-one that is everyones birthright. This item ships from multiple locations. Your book may arrive from Roseburg,OR, La Vergne,TN. Paperback. Bookseller Inventory # 9780877736707